Mid-Century Modern Silver Plate Champagne Coupe / Wine Goblet with Occasion Engraving
Hollowware (Stemware/Goblet) · Likely International Silver Co. or Sheridan Silver Co.; these manufacturers dominated the mid-priced silver plate market in the mid-20th century US, specializing in mass-produced buffet and barware.
Pattern: Plain Modernist / Continental style; non-patterned hollowware, late 20th-century production intended for the giftware and engraving market.
Type
Hollowware (Stemware/Goblet)
Maker
Likely International Silver Co. or Sheridan Silver Co.; these manufacturers dominated the mid-priced silver plate market in the mid-20th century US, specializing in mass-produced buffet and barware.
Material
Silver plate on white metal or brass. The deep, multicolored tarnish (iridescence) and the texture of the base suggest Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) or a similar base metal alloy.
Dimensions
Estimated 5.5 to 6.5 inches in height with a 3.5 to 4-inch bowl diameter. Weight is likely light (approx. 150-200g) as the stem is thin and likely hollow-cast or weighted.
Description
A classic silver-plated champagne coupe featuring a minimalist, sleek silhouette characteristic of the later 20th-century aesthetic. The piece serves as a commemorative vessel, marked by a specific date and name, making it a piece of personal social history. Its wide bowl and slender stem represent the transition from traditional heavy ornamentation to clean, functional barware.
Key Features
Machine-engraved 'Richard 6-8-74', slender baluster stem, deep irridescent tarnish indicating long-term air exposure, and a plain, unadorned rim.
Material & Composition
Silver plate on white metal or brass. The deep, multicolored tarnish (iridescence) and the texture of the base suggest Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) or a similar base metal alloy.
Finish & Decoration
Originally mirror-polished; currently shows heavy atmospheric oxidation (tarnish). Features a machine-engraved inscription "Richard 6-8-74" in a traditional block/serif font mix, typical of 1970s jewelry store engraving.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Not visible in the image, but would typically be found on the underside of the circular base. Likely marked with 'Silverplate', 'EPNS', or a manufacturer's pictorial logo and a production number.
Construction Details
Three-part machine construction: a die-spun bowl, a cast or machine-turned stem, and a die-stamped circular base, joined by machine soldering or internal threaded rods.
Functional Features
Wide, shallow coupe bowl designed for champagne or small cocktails; tall stem to prevent the hand's heat from warming the liquid; weighted base for stability.
Handle & Grip Details
Tapering baluster stem with a single knop near the bowl attachment for ergonomic grip; silver-plated finish over base metal throughout.
Craftsmanship Details
Commercial grade; indicates machine-spun bowl with minor evidence of finishing marks on the joinings. The engraving is clean and likely performed by a motorized pantograph machine.
Authentication Indicators
The engraving style and font are period-correct for the mid-1970s. The type of oxidation (turning purple and gold) is a classic indicator of a silver-plated surface over a nickel or copper-based alloy.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely United States or England; produced in a commercial factory using high-volume electroplating and machine-turning techniques.
Era & Period
Late Mid-Century Modern (1970s); the date 1974 is explicitly engraved, aligning with the popularity of silver-plated commemorative gifts for baptisms or birthdays during this decade.
Age Estimate
Fixed to 1974 based on engraving; the style is consistent with mid-1970s commercial silver manufacturing.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 20th-century tradition of giving silver-plated items for life milestones (births, christenings, or 21st birthdays). It reflects a time when silver-plated hollowware was a staple of middle-class aspirational home decor.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Shows heavy tarnish and fingerprints; there are visible surface scuffs and 'pitting' marks on the base. The silver plate appears intact but requires professional polishing to assess if there is 'bleeding' of the base metal.
Value Estimate
$10 - $25 USD. Silver-plated items from this era have low intrinsic metal value; the price is primarily sentimental or decorative. The specific name engraving 'Richard' limits its resale market to collectors of that name or for use as a prop.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's) using a soft sponge. Avoid abrasive pads which will strip the thin silver plating. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth bag.
Similar Pieces
Reed & Barton 'Caviar' coupes or Sheridan 'Grandeur' goblets. Differences usually lie in the weight of the base and the thickness of the plating.
Interesting Facts
Coupe glasses were traditionally rumored to be modeled after the breast of Marie Antoinette, though they actually originated in England in the 1600s. In the 1970s, silver-plated versions were standard 'Milestone' gifts.